Audi Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne: two MLB Evo siblings
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Audi · 2018–present
Q8
- Power
- 250 kW340 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- -
- Kerb mass
- -
Porsche · 2018–present
Cayenne (9Y0)
- Power
- 260 kW354 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 6.0 s
- Kerb mass
- 2,151 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Q8 0 Cayenne (9Y0) 2
- Family Cayenne (9Y0) Boot: 770 l vs 605 l
- City Too close to call Length: 4,986 mm vs 4,918 mm
- Off-road Cayenne (9Y0) Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The Cayenne is the more complete performance SUV. Its plug-in hybrids cover 346 to 544 kW with up to 90 km of electric range, the Turbo GT is quicker than the RS Q8, and a conventional Cayenne body sits alongside the Coupé.
The Q8 is the stronger choice for long-distance drivers who want a diesel, which Porsche no longer offers, and its coupé-roofed body is longer and has a documented 605-litre boot. Its 2019 Euro NCAP scores for children and safety assist were also higher than the Cayenne's in 2017.
- Felix Hartmann
The Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne are closer relatives than their badges suggest. Both are built at the Volkswagen Group plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, and both sit on the group's MLB platform shared with the Lamborghini Urus and the Volkswagen Touareg. The third-generation Cayenne (9Y0) was revealed on 29 August 2017, with a Coupé from April 2019 and a major facelift in April 2023. The Q8, a coupé-styled SUV from the start, followed in 2018 and was facelifted on 5 September 2023.
In short: the Q8 offers diesels and a lower starting point in power; the Cayenne offers the wider performance range, plug-in hybrids with up to 90 km of electric range and the track-focused Turbo GT. Both are in our catalogue: Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne.
Audi Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne: engines, hybrids and size
V6 entry models
The Q8 55 TFSI quattro has a 3.0-litre V6 with 250 kW (340 PS) and 500 Nm. The facelifted Cayenne's V6 has 260 kW (353 PS) and 500 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, or 5.7 with the Sport Chrono package. Both use an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.
Diesel only at Audi
The Q8 is sold with V6 TDI diesels of 170 kW (230 PS) and 500 Nm in the 45 TDI and 210 kW (286 PS) with 600 Nm in the 50 TDI. The SQ8 TDI had a V8 diesel with 320 kW (435 PS) and 900 Nm and needed 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h. The current Cayenne has no diesel.
Plug-in hybrids
Audi offered the Q8 as the 55 TFSI e with 280 kW (381 PS) and the 60 TFSI e with 335 kW (456 PS). Porsche's range is larger. Since the 2023 facelift, the Cayenne E-Hybrid has 346 kW (470 PS) and 650 Nm, the S E-Hybrid 382 kW (519 PS) and 750 Nm, and the Turbo E-Hybrid 544 kW (739 PS) and 950 Nm with 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h. Its battery grew to 25.9 kWh, good for up to 90 km on the WLTP cycle.
- Q8 45 TDI: 170 kW, 500 Nm
- Q8 55 TFSI: 250 kW, 500 Nm
- Cayenne (2023): 260 kW, 500 Nm, 6.0 s
- Cayenne S E-Hybrid: 382 kW, 750 Nm, 4.7 s
- Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid: 544 kW, 950 Nm, 3.5 s
V8 performance: RS Q8 against Turbo GT
The RS Q8 has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 441 kW (600 PS) and 800 Nm; Audi claims 3.8 seconds to 100 km/h and up to 305 km/h with the dynamic package. The RS Q8 performance of 2024 raised that to 470 kW (640 PS) and 850 Nm. The Cayenne Turbo GT, launched in 2021, has 485 kW (659 PS) and 850 Nm since the facelift and needs 3.1 seconds. In June 2021 a Turbo GT lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:38.925. The facelifted Cayenne S has a V8 again, with 349 kW (475 PS), and the GTS 368 kW (500 PS).
Size and boot
The Q8 is 4,986–5,012 mm long, 1,995 mm wide and 1,705 mm tall on a 2,995 mm wheelbase. Our catalogue lists its boot at 605 litres. The Cayenne is shorter, 4,918–4,929 mm, and the Cayenne Coupé measures 4,931–4,942 mm.
Euro NCAP
Both have five stars. The Cayenne scored 95% for adult occupants, 80% for children, 73% for vulnerable road users and 62% for safety assist in 2017. The Q8 50 TDI scored 93%, 87%, 71% and 73% in 2019.
What comes next
Porsche unveiled the electric fourth-generation Cayenne on 19 November 2025, with a 113 kWh battery (108 kWh net) and charging at up to 400 kW; production started in February 2026.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Q8 | Cayenne (9Y0) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,986 mm196.3 in † | 4,918 mm193.6 in † −68 mm −2.7 in −1.4% |
| Width | 1,995 mm78.5 in † | 1,983 mm78.1 in † −12 mm −0.5 in −0.6% |
| Height | 1,705 mm67.1 in † | 1,696 mm66.8 in † −9 mm −0.4 in −0.5% |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm117.9 in † | 2,895 mm114.0 in † −100 mm −3.9 in −3.3% |
| Boot | 605 l21.4 cu ft | 770 l27.2 cu ft † +165 l +5.8 cu ft +27.3% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Too wide |
Difference vs Q8 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Audi Q8 | Porsche Cayenne | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 250 kW (340 PS) | Cayenne (9Y0) · 3.0 V6 · petrol · 260 kW (354 PS) |
| Production years | 2018–present | 2018–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | No data |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 250 kW (340 PS) 335 hp | 260 kW (354 PS) 349 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 170–471 kW (231–640 PS) 228–632 hp | 177–544 kW (241–740 PS) 237–730 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 500 Nm 369 lb-ft | 500 Nm 369 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | No data | 6.0 s |
| Power per tonne | No data | 121 kW/t 147 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | No data | Petrol |
| Engine | No data | 2,995 cc · 6 cyl 3.0 l |
| Gearbox | No data | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,986 mm 196.3 in † | 4,918 mm 193.6 in † |
| Width | 1,995 mm 78.5 in † | 1,983 mm 78.1 in † |
| Height | 1,705 mm 67.1 in † | 1,696 mm 66.8 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,995 mm 117.9 in † | 2,895 mm 114.0 in † |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | No data | 2,151 kg 4,742 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 605 l 21.4 cu ft | 770 l 27.2 cu ft † Better |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | No data | 11.0 l/100 km 21.4 mpg US |
| CO₂ | No data | 249 g/km |
| Fuel cost per year | No data | €2,890/year estimated |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (5): Production years, Body, Country, Torque, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Porsche Cayenne has more power: 260 kW (354 PS) against 250 kW (340 PS) for Audi Q8. Audi Q8 is 68 mm longer than Porsche Cayenne (4,986 mm vs 4,918 mm). Porsche Cayenne has the bigger boot: 770 l against 605 l. Porsche Cayenne is the older design (from 2002); Audi Q8 arrived in 2018. On the catalog figures, the Porsche Cayenne is the pick for family and off-road. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Audi Q8 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Audi Q8 if you want a V6 diesel with 500–600 Nm, a long coupé-style SUV or the RS Q8 as a V8 cruiser.
Choose the Porsche Cayenne if you want a plug-in hybrid with up to 90 km of electric range, a choice of SUV and Coupé bodies, or the 485 kW Turbo GT.
The Cayenne also meets the BMW X5 and the Range Rover Sport in BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport vs Porsche Cayenne; the Q8's sister, the Q7, faces the X5 in Audi Q7 vs BMW X5.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne the same car?
They share the Volkswagen Group's MLB platform and the Bratislava plant, but they have different bodies, engines and tuning. The Q8 has diesels; the Cayenne has a wider range of petrol V6, V8 and plug-in hybrid versions.
Which is faster, the RS Q8 or the Cayenne Turbo GT?
The Turbo GT: 485 kW and 3.1 seconds to 100 km/h after the facelift. The RS Q8 has 441 kW and 3.8 seconds; the RS Q8 performance raised output to 470 kW.
Is there a diesel Cayenne?
Not in the current range. The diesel choice of the pair is the Q8 45 TDI or 50 TDI.
How far can the Cayenne E-Hybrid drive on electricity?
Up to 90 km on the WLTP cycle since the 2023 facelift, with a 25.9 kWh battery.
Is there an electric Cayenne?
Yes, as a separate fourth generation unveiled on 19 November 2025, with a 113 kWh battery (108 kWh net) and up to 400 kW charging; production began in February 2026.